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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mysticete" data-source="post: 1574772" data-attributes="member: 67784">Random replies to everyone:On field guide coverage:  I would say that the definition of the ABA area does indeed affect field guides moreso than other naturalist interests.  One of the prominent guides after all is the the Nat Geo, which takes the time in the newest editions to illustrate EVERY possible vagrant recorded in the US.  The average person interested in nature in the US probably doesn't care about all the Aleutian/Gambel ultra megas, but they are illustrated.  And the bird guide market is by far the largest; birders are more likely to buy new editions and multiple different field guides than the average consumer.  If a general nature audience was the main target, than I would expect to see similar numbers of guides to at least mammals, and probably herps as well.On year listing; Kingbird Highway made it sound awesome, but I do kind of cringe at the concept of a big year.  Beyond any environmental impact, you need to have deep pockets and lots of free time.  A US year list says nothing about your birding ability, but lots about your financial security.  That said, I have always wanted to go to Gambell and St. Paul, even if the vagrants could be easily seen in China on migration.On ABA:  I have faintly detected a whiff of desperation for getting new members.  I am actually a member (for something like 4 years now); I enjoy the magazine, but I do wonder if the Internet isn't providing the same info for many new birders as the magazine did, and if they are not recruiting another new birders to compensate for loss of older birders.  So Chris, from your conversations does expanding the area seem likely?  And is this something that might happen within the next year?  Or is this largely just to see what the interest in doing so is, and maybe stir up controversy?</blockquote>

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